Duct insert

ABSTRACT

A duct insert having a body with an open front end and an open rear end. A plurality of fins are fixed to and extend radially from an inner surface of the body towards a longitudinal axis of the body. The duct insert is placed within an air duct adjacent to a vent to increase air flow.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to heating, ventilation and airconditioning systems and, more particularly, to a device that increasesair flow through air ducts.

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) is the technology ofindoor and vehicular environmental comfort. Its goal is to providethermal comfort and acceptable indoor air quality. HVAC units commonlyinclude hot and cold air supplies and a network of air ducts. The airducts are made to move air to certain areas and are not necessarilybuilt to be efficient. The air is pushed through the air ducts anddepending on how long the air ducts are and how many branches, the airflow decreases, causing some rooms to be either too cold in the winterand too warm in the summer.

As can be seen, there is a need for a device that increases air flowthrough air ducts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a duct insert comprises: atubular cylinder having an open front end and an open rear end; and aplurality of fins fixed to and extending radially from an inner surfaceof the tubular cylinder towards a longitudinal axis of the tubularcylinder, wherein the plurality of fins are curved towards a samedirection.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of increasing airflow within an air duct comprises: providing a duct insert comprising: abody having an open front end and an open rear end; and a plurality offins extending radially from an inner surface of the body towards alongitudinal axis of the body; and inserting the duct insert within anair duct such that an air flow passes through the body.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdrawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the presentinvention in use;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view of an embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplatedmodes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. Thedescription is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merelyfor the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention,since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

The present invention includes a duct insert having a plurality ofcurved fins. The present invention may be installed just behind theregister or grate of the HVAC system and delivers more air in thedesired room/rooms without having to adjust the thermometer setting.Thus, the present invention makes the HVAC system work more efficiently.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, the present invention includes a ductinsert 10 having a body 14. The body 14 includes an open front end andan open rear end. A plurality of fins 16 are fixed to and extendradially from an inner surface of the body 14 towards a longitudinalaxis of the body 14.

In certain embodiments, the body 14 is a tubular cylinder. The exteriorof the cylinder may include about 3.88 inch diameter, with a wallthickness of about 0.12 inches and a height of about 3.5 inches. Thedimensions mentioned above may be altered to adjust to different sizedair ducts 12.

The plurality of fins 16 run along the length of the inside of thetubular cylinder. In certain embodiments, the fins 16 are curved towardsa same direction and are evenly spaced apart from one another.Therefore, a cross-sectional view of the present invention includes aswirl appearance.

Each of the plurality of fins 16 includes a leading edge, a taperededge, and a trailing edge. The leading edge is substantiallyperpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the tapered edge tapers towardsthe open rear end, and the trailing edge is substantially perpendicularto the longitudinal axis. In certain embodiments, the fins 16 may taperfrom a height of 2.75 inches from the leading edge to about a height of2.5 inches at the trailing edge. The dimensions of the fins may vary andwork equally as well.

The cylinder body 14 acts are a housing. The fins 16 may include atleast five fins 16 or more and run length wise inside the cylinder body14. The present invention is installed inside the wall or ceiling ductwork, just behind the vent. Once the air in the duct reaches thecylinder body 14, the curved fins 16 catch the air and forces it into avortex spin increasing the airflow as it enters the room.

A method of increasing air flow within an air duct 12 may include thefollowing steps: providing the duct insert 10 described above; use ascrewdriver to remove the screws that holds the vent cover to the wall,floor, or ceiling; insert the duct insert 10 through duct opening andinto the air duct 12; and while holding the duct insert 10 in place,slide the vent cover back over to its original place and reattach thevent cover.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates toexemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as setforth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A duct insert comprising: a tubular cylinderhaving an open front end and an open rear end; and a plurality of finsfixed to and extending radially from an inner surface of the tubularcylinder towards a longitudinal axis of the tubular cylinder, whereinthe plurality of fins are curved towards a same direction.
 2. The ductinsert of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of fins comprise aleading edge and a tapered edge wherein the leading edge issubstantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and the taperededge tapers towards the open rear end.
 3. The duct insert of claim 1,wherein each of the plurality of fins further comprise a trailing edgesubstantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
 4. The duct insertof claim 1, wherein the plurality of fins are evenly spaced apart. 5.The duct insert of claim 4, wherein the plurality of fins comprises atleast five fins.
 6. A method of increasing air flow within an air ductcomprising: providing a duct insert comprising: a body having an openfront end and an open rear end; and a plurality of fins extendingradially from an inner surface of the body towards a longitudinal axisof the body; and coupling the duct insert within an air duct such thatan air flow passes into the open rear end through the body and out theopen front end.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the plurality of finsare curved towards a same direction.
 8. The method of claim 7, whereinthe body comprising a tubular cylinder.
 9. The method of claim 6,wherein each of the plurality of fins comprise a leading edge and atapered edge wherein the leading edge is substantially perpendicular tothe longitudinal axis and the tapered edge tapers towards the open rearend.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the duct insert is coupledadjacent to a grate, wherein the leading edge is facing the grate. 11.The method of claim 6, wherein the plurality of fins are evenly spacedapart.
 12. The method of claim 6, wherein the plurality of finscomprises at least five fins.